V2K belt noise------fixed

[Lattimer]

I had a thead a week or 2 ago about a squeaking, nasty noise coming from the rear of my V2K. It only has 1400 miles on it. This was a new noise that is different from the normal chirp or whir of the belt that the bike has always had.

On investigation, I found the belt was sitting all the wy to the left on the rear pulley, tight against the flange. I sprayed the belt and flange with WD-40, and the noise went away. So, I was pretty certain my new noise was the belt rubbing on the left side.

The WD-40 lasted a week or so, but the noise came back about 2 days ago. This morning I decided to do something about it.

I put the bike in the air on my Craftsman bike lift (I love this thing, it sucked for the Meanie but is great on the 2000). I loosened up the rear axle. This is a pain in the butt because the cotter pin is behind the exhaust. To do this job right, you would have to remove the mufflers. Not me! Took 15 minutes to get the pin out, but I have some patience in the morning...LOL.

So, I checked the belt tension, and it moved about a tic mark and a half. A lot of other owners on here have been saying 2-3 tic marks, so I loosened the belt to this point. I then started the bike, put it in first, and let the tire turn for about a minute. I shut the bike off and checked the belt tension, it was still 3 tics. I went to the back of the bike and the belt was still firmlyagainst the left flange of the pulley.

I started the bike back up, and with the tire spinning, I moved the tension adjusters 1/4 turn at a time, one side at a time, until the belt tracked in the dead center of the pulley. I checked the marks on the sides of the adjusters, and they are still pretty even side to side, so I feel the tire is still straight. Or at least straight enough!

I then re-checked the tension, it was still 2-1/2 tics. I tightened everything back up, and before putting the rotten cotter pin back, checked the tension again. Replaced the cotten pin, then test rode.

Noise is gone!!! I still have the constant chirping sound, but a lot less of it then before. If I had anything louder than stock pipes I would never notice it.


I just thought somebody might benefit from my little experiment!


BTW, do this in a well ventilated area-------exhaust fumes are not good to be inhaling.

[Spok]

good deal shawn. i have the chirp myself, looks like i need to get out my craftsman jack too

[REFUGIO]

So.......... You lossened the belt up a bit and it started tracking in the center of the pulleys. And now, No more belt noise.

Glad it worked for you....that's what worked for me on my 900. I think there are still a lot out there who refuse to try this (including dealers). I truly believe that Kawa has the belt specs set too tight.

[msa1956]

I have a chirp also, but I think it comes from running in to high of gear, check it out and see thats the only time I hear the chirp if I down shift it goes away, I hope I am not wrong. As far as the tension on the Belt, I had my rear tire replaced not to long ago and had the noise I took it back to the dealer that installed the tire and they performed the check that was in the book and said it was good. I then took it back to the dealer I bought the bike from and they said that it needs to be a little looser then what maKaw says it to be, so I guess it was to tight.

[MauiAl]

What would cause it to chirp in too high of a gear?

[G]

thanks for the heads up ..

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by REFUGIO

So.......... You lossened the belt up a bit and it started tracking in the center of the pulleys. And now, No more belt noise.

Glad it worked for you....that's what worked for me on my 900. I think there are still a lot out there who refuse to try this (including dealers). I truly believe that Kawa has the belt specs set too tight.

I didn't just loosen it though. I had to move the left hand adjuster in a bit farther than the right one to get the belt to track in the center.

Rode for 3 hours this afternoon, still no noise.

[REFUGIO]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

I didn't just loosen it though. I had to move the left hand adjuster in a bit farther than the right one to get the belt to track in the center.

Rode for 3 hours this afternoon, still no noise.

Great.....Glad to hear you've got it fixed.

[kingofwings]

Way to go Shawn...

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Rode for 3 hours this afternoon, still no noise.

You say the chirping noise is still there?
Was it still chirping after you sprayed the WD-40 on the belt? Or is the chirping not related to the belt?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by LordGT

You say the chirping noise is still there?
Was it still chirping after you sprayed the WD-40 on the belt? Or is the chirping not related to the belt?

The continuous chirping seems to be there still, but a lot quieter. The WD-40 experiment didn't help the chirp, and aligning and tensioning of the belt don't seem to help it either.

I'm thinking it may not be the belt.



Now, I'm not 100% certain I'm talking about the same noise as you. I hear this mainly when rolling on the throttle, or decelerating by downshifting. At constant speed it isn't there.

Sounds kind of like a chirp/warble/whistle all at once. Its almost like a higher pitched version of a turbo spooling up. Some people say its actually resonance in the rear pulley, because its a 2-piece pulley. One guy on the ROG bugs page says the noise went away when he installed an aftermarket billet pulley.

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

I'm thinking it may not be the belt.



Now, I'm not 100% certain I'm talking about the same noise as you. I hear this mainly when rolling on the throttle, or decelerating by downshifting. At constant speed it isn't there.

Sounds kind of like a chirp/warble/whistle all at once. Its almost like a higher pitched version of a turbo spooling up. Some people say its actually resonance in the rear pulley, because its a 2-piece pulley. One guy on the ROG bugs page says the noise went away when he installed an aftermarket billet pulley.

Hmmmmmmm....I wonder if there are just some noises they fixed by the time the 2006 models came out. I wear a FF helmet, and one guy says he can't hear his tranny noise with a FF, I know they changed something in the drive line by 06 because of the bearing issue, the LTD V2K has a Chrome pulley, so I dont know if it's different than the standard V2K pulley. I'll sure keep an ear out for these noises. Guess I'll have to take the FF off and ride around a bit.

[2WheelFun]

Thanks, Shawn! It's on my "to do" list. My belt runs toward the outside also.

[g1nomad]

Originally Posted by msa1956

I have a chirp also, but I think it comes from running in to high of gear, check it out and see thats the only time I hear the chirp if I down shift it goes away, I hope I am not wrong.

I guess you are right. My chirping is traveling at 60-65 mph in 5th. I kept thinking it was bearings going bad. I have put 2 road trips on it now totaling over 1,300 miles, and I haven't had to call roadside assistance yet.

Yet, when in the mountains, giving it a workout, there was never any chirping. And in stop & go traffic, no chirps? Next time she be chirping, I'll downshift and see what happens.

Thanks